Manager: Walter Smith
Last year must have been an agonising one in which to support the Toffees and the only thing that suggests this one being any better is the remoteness of the possibility that Liverpool will win another three trophies.
Even if they don't, though, there is always the chance that Smith's side will finally quit just toying with the drop and actually go down.
The chances of it finally happening seem to grow each season and there is little enough in the squad at this stage to mark the club out as much better than obvious relegation candidates.
Tomasz Radzinski, who looked good in last year's Champions League, is something of an exception but pocketing £4 million in transfer fees after last year's campaign looks foolish and if Michael Ball does go and the money isn't reinvested, then they deserve little sympathy.
In: Tomasz Radzinski (Anderlecht, £4.5m), Alan Stubbs (Celtic, free), Thomas Myre (SC Copenhagen, loan return). Total £4.5m.
Out: Richard Gough (retired), Peter Degn (Brondby, free); Phil Jevons (Grimsby, £150,000); Stephen Hughes (Watford, free); Francis Jeffers (Arsenal £8m), Sean Doherty (Fulham, £650,000); Dave Watson (Tranmere, free); Alex Nyarko (Monaco, loan). Total £8.8m. Net income: £4.3.
Rep of Ireland players: None.
Last year: Prem: 16th, FAC 4th. This year: 19th.
Official website: www.evertonfc.com.
Betting: 500-1.
